fathers day ideas Archives

Father’s Day brunch street tacos and cocktails at Lanea in Santa Monica. PHOTO COURTESY LANEA

When it comes to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, it seems like the moms get all the hype. There’s never a shortage of ideas: brunch, flowers and teatime, just to name a few. But when it comes to the dads, it seems there is a little less fanfare. My dad was never one for the spotlight, so I got away with just a card (I’m not proud of that!). Now that my husband is also a dad, I see how much dads deserve some love on their day. Fortunately, with the city reopened and summer around the corner, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Father’s Day in L.A. We’ve rounded up the best places to eat, drink and honor the father figures in our lives.

Eat and drink

Brunch isn’t just for the moms. Take dad out to one of these delicious L.A. brunch spots for brunch specials, drink specials and spectacular views– or even make your own brunch at home!

Castaway in Burbank is offering a three-course Father’s Day menu, featuring a chilled seafood platter to share, tartines and charcuterie and bottomless mimosas. Views of the San Fernando Valley and L.A. skyline make this brunch spot extra special. Adults are $89 and children ages 12 and under are $35. Bottomless mimosas are an additional $25. Brunch will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m on June 20.

Classic breakfast sandwich at Cult. PHOTO COURTESY CULT

If the west side is more his vibe, take dad out to Cult in Santa Monica, offering the Cult classic breakfast sandwich with any beer for $15, or Lanea for brunch street tacos and a cocktail for $25. Both restaurants are offering these brunch specials to anyone who comes in with their dad on June 20.

For another classic L.A. scene, head over to Whiskey Red’s in Marina Del Rey, for their three-course Father’s Day brunch menu, featuring steak and eggs benedict, chicken and waffles, and Atlantic salmon, which you can enjoy on their waterfront patio with 180-degree views of the harbor.

If you really want to spoil dad, book him a tee time at The Links at Terranea, a nine-hole oceanfront golf course, to follow Father’s Day brunch at one of Terranea’s many restaurant offerings like mar’sel. The oceanfront seafood restaurant will feature a three-course brunch menu with pastries, fried oysters, Dungeness crab omelet and more, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 20.

Book dad a tee time at The Links at Terranea. PHOTO COURTESY TERRANEA RESORT

Make dad a peanut butter bacon cheddar burger. PHOTO COURTESY RICHMOND BAR & GRILL

For a truly special Father’s Day brunch, make it at home! New dad and co-owner of Richmond Bar & Grill in El Segundo Riley Montz, along with co-owner Zach Lyall, share their favorite burger recipe that’s sure to be a hit: Peanut Butter Bacon Cheddar Burger. For more recipe ideas, be sure to check out our recipe section.

Catch a ride

Vintage automobiles are a running theme this Father’s Day with plenty of places to admire some classic wheels, and even take one out for a spin.

Tour d’Elegance in Beverly Hills. PHOTO COURTESY TED7

If you still want to treat dad to brunch, how about brunch and a ride in a classic car at the Automobile Driving Museum. The El Segundo museum is hosting its special Father’s Day Rides, which includes a chauffeured ride around the block by an experienced docent from the museum, followed by a beer tasting from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. June 20. The Automobile Driving Museum Ballroom is hosting a special Father’s Day brunch by Chef Will Bly, featuring live music and entertainment. Brunch tickets are $75 but enter code “Brunch2021” to receive a $10 discount.

For another class car-themed Father’s Day event, head over to A Restaurant in Newport Beach. The 90-year-old restaurant’s Father’s Day celebration features cold beers, Westward Whiskey cocktails, a cigar-rolling station and classic cars on display in their outdoor lot.

If the dad in your life is a big car-lover, he won’t want to miss the special Father’s Day edition of the Beverly Hills Tour d’Elegance, a rolling display of 50 prestigious and rare vehicles. To get the best view, arrive by 10 a.m. on Burton Way between San Vicente Blvd. and Rexford Dr., on Beverly Dr. between Lomitas Ave. and Wilshire Blvd. or on Canon Dr. between South Santa Monica and Dayton Way.

Bookworm

Maybe a cozy morning at home with a good book is more dad’s speed. We’ve rounded up father-approved children’s books that will delight both dad and child alike. For more book ideas, check out our latest Book Corner.

“The Great Whipplethorp Bug Collection” by Ben Brashares and Elizabeth Bergeland

This new picture book tells a multigenerational story about father-son relationships and what it means to grow up male in today’s culture. Aimed for readers ages 4 – 8, “The Great Whipplethrop Bug Collection” tackles timely topics like toxic masculinity and defying gender norms.

“Daddy & Dada” by Ryan Brockington and Isaac Webster and illustrated by Lauren May

Local L.A. dads and partners Ryan and Isaac wanted a book that portrayed diverse families for their daughter Rumi, so they wrote one themselves. Through adorable illustrations, “Daddy & Dada” shows that families come in all shapes and sizes.

“The Bedtime Chronicles: Legend of the Dadman” by Derek Siskin and illustrated by Jamie Sale

This sweet and funny rhyming bedtime story, inspired by the creative wordplay and style of hip-hop music, tells the story of a dad’s “extra ordinary” adventures. Some heroes wear socks with sandals.

“Sweet Child O’Mine” by Guns N’Roses and illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin

Inspired by Maya and Natalia Rose, two young girls who have grown up touring with Guns N’Roses, “Sweet Child O’Mine” uses the famous song’s lyrics and Jennifer Zivion’s beautiful illustrations to show the magic of love and music through a child’s eyes.

Bunny yoga

For the yogi, treat dad and the whole family to Bunny Yoga. Harmony Family Yoga in Thousand Oaks is hosting a special bunny yoga event on June 19 for Father’s Day. Dad can find his center through yoga while also receiving the calming benefits of interacting with animals, like adorable floppy-eared rabbits!

Music, movies & museums

With the city mostly open again, family-friendly entertainment is in full swing.

Take dad to see Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade at Aero Theater in Santa Monica, or celebrate with live music all day long at the San Pedro Fish Market. Big Disney fan? Take him and the family to catch closing weekend of “Inside the Walt Disney Archives” at the Bowers Museum, and get a free mug for dad with proof of admission.

Create a photo book

Perhaps you have a dad, like mine, who insists they don’t need anything, and they don’t want to do anything. Surprise dad with a gift he can’t refuse: a customized photo book. Mixbook’s online editing tool makes it easy to get creative with your album. If you need inspiration, they have a few ideas of how to make a unique photo book for dad:

Document your dad’s family tree.
Tell one (or many) stories of your dad’s history
Make a photo book of your everyday family moments with dad.
Create a dad’s favorite quotes book.
Commemorate a milestone dad had this year in a book

We hope this roundup gave you a little inspiration to honor the father figures in your life– on Father’s Day or any day!

The same day Riley Montz got a call from the previous owners of Richmond Bar & Grill letting him know they were ready to sell, he learned his wife Megan was pregnant with their first child. Three months later COVID-19 hit, and the world shut down. Riley, recently named City of El Segundo “Hospitality Hero,” and his business partner Zach Lyall took this time to re-build their restaurant, which has been serving El Segundo since 1976, while maintaining its signature charm.

Owners of Richmond Bar & Grill, Riley Montz (left) and Zach Lyall (right). PHOTO COURTESY CORINNE COBABE PHOTOGRAPHY.

Figuring out fatherhood alongside his new business venture wasn’t easy. “They have such similar aspects—running your own business and raising a child—both require a lot of responsibility and nurturing, and you want the best for both,” Riley said. Eventually, Riley and Zach were able to reopen their bar, becoming an instant community establishment serving up their signature burgers and craft beer. They shared with us Richmond Bar & Grill’s popular Peanut Butter Bacon Cheddar Burger recipe, and included a suggested beer pairing— perfect for Father’s Day!

Ingredients

2 thick slices applewood smoked bacon

6.5 oz Angus beef patty

2 slices sharp cheddar cheese

1 tbsp house made peanut butter

2 slices beefsteak tomatoes

1 brioche bun

Process

Start by throwing both slices of bacon onto a hot grill and cook until crisp. While the bacon is cooking, add the beef patty onto the grill and cook until medium rare (approximately 2 minutes on each side). After flipping the patty, add slices of cheddar cheese to melt over the patty as it finishes cooking.

Lightly toast the brioche bun on the grill for 30 seconds. Take the warm bun off the grill and generously smother both sides of the bun with peanut butter. Add the patty with cheese, top it with sliced tomato, and bacon. Finish off the burger by placing the warm bun on top. Serve immediately.

Enjoy your peanut butter bacon cheddar burger with Richmond Bar & Grill’s famous hand cut Hollywood potato chips and a side of house made buttermilk ranch dipping sauce.

Suggested beer pairing: El Segundo Brewery Mayberry IPA

Peanut Butter Bacon Cheddar Burger. PHOTO COURTESY RICHMOND BAR & GRILL

For more burgers, beer and other bar-favorites, visit Richmond Bar & Grill in El Segundo, open daily 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

What to Do and Where to Go this Father’s Day in L.A.